Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are reportedly interested in Manchester City midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian has been a key part of a star-studded City side since the summer of 2015.
De Bruyne, 33, has made nearly 400 appearances across competitions for Pep Guardiola’s team, contrbuting 104 goals and 171 assists. He has won six Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League – as part of a continental treble – among various domestic and continental honours.
However, despite his contract running out in the summer, City haven’t yet tied their talisman to a new deal yet. As per the Mirror, the Herons are looking to snap up De Bruyne on priority and open talks with him in January. De Bruyne would be eligible to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in the final six months of his deal.
The David Beckham co-owned side are unlikely to have a free run at De Bruyne, though, as Saudi Arabian clubs are also said to be interested in his services.
In an injury-ravaged season, De Bruyne has managed two goals and as many assists in 12 outings across competitions. One of those goals and an assist came in the 3-0 home win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend.
Thanks to De Bruyne’s Man of the Match performance, the Cityzens snapped a seven-game winless streak across competitions, losing six, including four straight in the league. Nevertheless, with the Forest win, Guardiola’s side are fourth, trailing leaders Liverpool (35) by nine points after 14 games.
How has Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi fared against Manchester City?
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi is one of the best ever players to grace the beautiful game and one of its most prolific goalscorers. The 37-year-old has amassed a staggering 850 goals for club and country during his illustrious career.
That includes seven goals (and three assists) in eight games against Manchester City – all in the UEFA Champions League. All but one of those goals came while he was at Barcelona between 2004 and 2021.
Messi’s most prolific game against Manchester City came in a 2016-17 group game at the Camp Nou. The Argentine scored a hat-trick and bagged an assist as Barca trounced the visitors 4-0.
The win marked the Inter Miami captain’s fifth straight against City. However, he has won just once in his next four meetings, losing three, including a 2-1 away loss in a 2021-22 group game.
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